Fake decal ?

[SMP]

I believe this has a fake decal. What do others think ?

http://www.therupturedduck.com/H-293...met-H-293a.htm

[WalterB]

I believe this has a fake decal. What do others think ?

http://www.therupturedduck.com/H-293...met-H-293a.htm

Yes Sir, no doubt about it. Fake decal all the way. Here I post it for posterity:

.

[clint-magnum]

an usual fake or a new type ? cannot see the error...
(please pm me )

[falls1944]

Hi,

Nice repro decal. It will be good to say that to Bill, IMO

David

[mayer]

Damn what a job

[John Hodgin]

Interesting how this scratch in the paint runs underneath the decal.

[SMP]

an usual fake or a new type ?

New to me Roger.

I am glad others agree.

John, it was the scratch that made me look closer in the first place

[Willi Z.]

John, it was the scratch that made me look closer in the first place

The scratch is what concerned me as well. Otherwise I am not seeing why it is a fake.

[clint-magnum]

The scratch is what concerned me as well. Otherwise I am not seeing why it is a fake.

period eagle post-applied ....?

[Willi Z.]

period eagle post-applied ....?

Well Roger, good question. While that scratch is not very deep (as compared to the others which have damaged the decal; especially on the left wing), there should be some sort of scratch on the decal. Though perhaps not a deep one. The other wear looks natural and old, IMO. So I am still puzzled.

[SMP]

some areas of concern:

[M35]

I looked closely at this helmet when Bill had it at the SOS. I seriously considered buying it because it intrigued me - a CKL marked shell with a decal is not supposed to exist. When I took it out in the sunlight and saw the scratch that went under the decal, I came to the conclusion that it was a factory issued no decal helmet that had a decal added. No way to know of course if it was added in the field during the war or post war although it does look like it has been on there a long time. I was pretty confident at the time that it was a REAL decal but I defer to the decal experts among us......

Cheers,
Terry

[WalterB]

some areas of concern:

Indeed! For clarification, my opinion was based on a comparison of ET-style decals (which, as we know, all FJ helmets should have). Since the decal in question did not match the ET-style, I deemed it a fake. Perhaps the decal is original, but it would have to have been applied post factory. Now the question arises, when? I guess it could be field applied. Too many open questions on this one for my taste.

Perhaps Francis can chime in, because I consider him very knowledgeable in the treacherous area of decal authentication.

[Willi Z.]

Thanks for chiming in Terry. So far I see it that way as well. I certainly see the areas of concern Steve pointed out and respect Walter's observations as well. A shame the reality of collecting today requires such a 'forensic' process.

At the SOS a bunch of us were doing the 'feel test' on DD tricolor decals, something I have used successfully.

[John Hodgin]

"some areas of concern:"

Agree Steve, will add this area, plus the apparent absence of any lacquer. Certainly not the decal that should be on the helmet, and so like Walter, too many issues for my tastes as well.